A whole genome screen for linkage in Turkish multiple sclerosis

Abstract

A whole genome screen for linkage in Turkish multiple sclerosisM. Eraksoya,*,1, M. Kurtuncua,b,1, G. Akman-Demira, M. Kılıncc, M. Gedizlioglud, M. Mirzae,O¨. Anlarf, C. Kutlug, M. Demirkıranh, H.A. I˙drisoglua, A. Compstonb, S. SawcerbThe Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Study Group (TMSGSG)2a Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, C¸ apa, Istanbul TR-34390, Turkeyb Neurology Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UKc Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Baskent, Ankara, Turkeyd Department of Neurology, Buca Social Security Hospital, I˙zmir, Turkeye Department of Neurology, Gevher Nesibe Faculty of Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkeyf Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yu¨zu¨ncu¨ yıl, Van, Turkeyg Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Osmangazi, Eskisehir, TurkeyhDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of C¸ukurova, Adana, TurkeyAbstractFactors exerting recessive effects on susceptibility to complex traits are expected to be over-represented in communities having a higherfrequency of consanguineous marriage. Multiple sclerosis, a typical complex trait, is relatively common in Turkey where cultural factors alsodetermine a high rate of consanguineous marriage. Previous genetic studies of multiple sclerosis in Turkey have been confined to the searchfor associations with candidate genes. In order to exploit the special genetic features of the Turkish population, we performed a wholegenome screen for linkage in 43 Turkish multiplex families employing 392 microsatellite markers. Two genomic regions where maximumlod score (MLS) values were suggestive of linkage were identified (chromosomes 13q and 18q23) along with a further 14 regions of potentiallinkage. Parametric analysis of these data using a recessive model, appropriate for populations with a high frequency of consanguinity,increased the LOD scores in four regions.D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Turkey; Genome screen; Linkage0165-5728/$ - see front matter D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2003.08.006*